Friday, July 31, 2009

So it was more than flash. You never know what to expect with a child.

So Angry Housewives Eating Bon Bons was exactly what a i thought it would be. Funny, simple, sentimental women's fiction.

Spanning three decades, this book is about the lives of five women who live on the same street, Freesia Court, in Minneapolis. Starting in the sixties, the gals get an idea to start a book club. After several years being known as the boring Freesia Court Book Club and after years of ups and downs in their lives, they change their name to the appropriate Angry Housewives Eating Bon Bons or AHEB. Each chapter of the book is told from a different perspective and names the time period and the book in which they are reading. Not only do you get to discover new books that they are reading, you also go along for the ride of their lives.

Sometimes I like a good ol' women's fiction book because they seem to have a little of everything and generally if it's written well, manageable amounts of all of the below.

I know what you think. Stereotypical characters? What? That sounds bad.

Not really. They are what makes it all safe for us to read, in their neat little boxes. We can be all of the characters and experience what they are experiencing without the drama or judgement.

For example, this book has the Innocent, the Sexual Drama Queen, the Activist, the Nurturer, and the One with the Past. Even if you might see yourself as one, you get to experience what it is like to be the others.

Safe, fun, simple fiction.

Lorna has a sense of humor which probably comes from her being a stand up comedian when she is not writing books and she also writes quite honestly about women's friendships and how they change throughout your life (if you are lucky to hang on to those friendships for over 30 years).

I would recommend this book to anyone looking for a quick read for a trip, on the beach, sitting in the backyard, or in the bubble bath.

Other authors that are similar but, in my opinion, have a bit more depth to them would be Penny Vincenzi and Anita Shreve.

Monday, July 27, 2009

Okay, I just figured out how to put a title on my blog posts. I am so technical I can't stand it!

So, I just finished The Time Traveler's Wife by Audrey Niffenegger over a week ago and I can not get it out my head. First of all, I am aware that I am one of the very very few ex-booksellers that took this long to read it. It's a curse of working in bookstores. You tend to zone out what's hot and what everyone is asking for. Of course, I want to be the one to discover the next big thing, right? :)

Anyway, I don't care how long it took, boy am I glad I finally read this beauty. Before you even read on (hopefully there is someone out there reading this besides my mother) go out and buy a copy, check out a copy, paperbackswap a freakin' copy, I DON'T CARE, go get it now. Mom, don't worry, you can borrow mine.

I'll wait.

(tap, tap) Okay, I love, love, love this book. I don't just love it because it's a unique love story and by golly, i would love to have a romance like that (sorry, honey) but I love it because it made me feel so close to the characters.

I cared for them. I wanted them to be happy. I wanted to take care of them.

Which leads me to the title of this blog post.

Why I love Henry DeTamble.

Let me count the ways.

He has a giant heart.

He is honest.

He is smart.

He is awkward.

He is humble.

He is reckless.

He is smitten. I just love that word and I love a man that is so smitten with his wife.

He loves punk music and even guides some young punk babies with the right punk music to listen to. Nurturing, right? (sigh)

More than what he is, is also what he needs.

He needs Claire.

He needs to be taken care of.

He needs intimacy.

He needs to feel intensity.

He needs to understand.

He needs to put the puzzle together.

He needs to be there for his child.

Henry DeTamble has become on of my favorite characters to come along. Sure, I'm a crush crazy girl and this guy spins a little romantic magic throughout the book but I must say when the book ended, I wanted to continue Henry's story. (No I am not going to give it away)

Trust me, this is a pull the blanket up to your chin-grab your glass (or bottle) of wine-do not leave your seat for 2 days kind of read.

Forget the trailer for the movie for now. Read the book first. Form your own visions of the handsome Henry and charming Claire.

Sunday, July 26, 2009

Quick note to mention I am currently reading Angry Housewives Eating Bon Bons by Lorna Landvik and realizing that, damnit, I have no Bon Bons or enough wine to really experience this book in full. Must visit food and alcohol establishments before proceeding.

Saturday, July 25, 2009

After a rather unsuccessful attempt to feed my child beet and carrot "juice", I throw up my purple stained hands and dig in to blog.

I hate to start my adventure in book reviewing with a negative review but to stay true to reviewing what I am currently reading, i must say it ain't good.

The title in question is the hot on the bestseller lists "The Physick Book of Deliverance Dane" by Katherine Howe.

I will say time and time again I am up for just about any type of book. I will enjoy a cozy mystery every now and again while also enjoying The Executioner's Song by Norman Mailer.

It's all based on mood, style and whether you can spin a great tale, however simple.

Howe's book has a really fun idea and could probably make a nice car payment movie starring Kate Hudson but it lacks depth.

The plot is a simple one. 2 parallel stories, one set in the present, the other set in the late 1600s to early 1700s.

The present story involves a highly educated research student fresh out of grad school ready to move on to her doctoral dissertation. She goes to Harvard. Her Grandma owns a home in Marblehead, super spooky and old. She is asked by her mother to go and clean it up so she can sell it. Yeah, adventure.

While she's there we discover the character Deliverance Dane which opens up the other story. Is she a long lost undiscovered Salem witch? Female grad student soon to find out with help from hunky local guy. You must read to find out!

Or not. Unfortunately it did not grab me in the way I thought it would. The story, the witches, the location, all set up to reveal a really good book but I just didn't care about the characters.

My recommendation for a layered, multi-generational, secrets and lies kind of tale would be The Forgotten Garden by Kate Morton. Now that's the kind of book that gets my toes tingling. Check it out.

As for Deliverance Dane, I'd wait til the movie starring Jennifer Aniston as the grad student (cuz we all love her right?) and Angelina Jolie as the witch. Ooooh, i can see it now.

Friday, July 24, 2009

Welcome to my blog! Finally a place I can write on and on about books without interruptions or like/dislike buttons.

This will be simple. I am a very busy reader who tries and tries (while running after a child) to read atleast one book a week. I will read just about everything and friends have screamed at me "START A BLOG FOR CRYIN' OUT LOUD!" everyone else has, sheesh!

So at last, I have jumped on this bloggin' bandwagon and hope to god someone will find me interesting. Hopefully it won't end up like junior high where no one showed up to my birthday parties. (sigh)

I will post reviews for any and every book I read, old or new. If you discover me and find me remotely interesting , please follow me and tell me what YOU are reading.

AddThis

Followers

Grab My Button!

All material is Copyright 2009-2016 by Michelle Wermerskirchen @www.Red Headed Book Child.com. Material that is quoted from another source will be listed. If you see any material from this site on another, they are in violation of my copyright. Thank you.